Snow - beautiful aesthetically, but a real pain to clear out. With the best snow blower, you can make clearing your driveway and sidewalk a breeze.
Keeping your driveway snow-free in the dead of winter can prove to be quite an arduous task. Add that to not having the correct tool for the job and it quickly turns into a disaster waiting to happen.
You may be inclined to just let the snow clear, but this simply won't work if you're in the dead of winter and have places to be. Skip the inconvenience and have a snow blower do the heavy-duty work for you, especially when snow shovels seem impractical.
In this quick guide, we've selected what we believe are the best snow blower options currently available on the market. Let's take a look at the options.
Quick Overview: Our Best Snow Blower Choices
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Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch Two Stage Electric Snow Blower
Last update on 2022-08-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Because of the insane popularity and success that Husqvarna has had with their lawn and garden equipment, especially their chainsaws, the Husqvarna ST224 was destined to be an award-winning power tool. Performance wise, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something that beats the Husqvarna ST224.
Apart from being a well-known and well-respected brand that has been in the game for years, it has a powerful 208cc engine that works almost effortlessly to get rid of snow that’s as deep as two feet and a clearing radius of 24 inches.
Husqvarna also put a lot of thought into making it comfortable by making it lightweight and easy to manage. It also has great power steering, a traditional rope plunger, an automatic start button, six selectable speeds and is one of the most effective tools we've ever used.
Things We Like:
- Handle height adjustment for improved ergonomics.
- Ribbon auger for efficiency clearing.
- Friction disc transmission that facilitates easy speed changes.
- 15-inch wheels that provide traction to prevent the wheels from over-spinning.
Things We Don't Like:
- Cable sheath not the most durable
- Fairly expensive
Snow Joe iON18SB-HYB 40V 18-inch Hybrid Snow Blower
Last update on 2022-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Snow Joe iON18SB is another top snow blower that has rocked our world. It's a great tool that's designed to move snow quickly and clean up the mess all the way down to the decks, patio, and driveway.
And the fact that it includes a zip deflector that provides a choice between high, low and in between snow blowing makes it even more alluring.
The Snow Joe snow blower is pretty powerful and you'll never have to worry about taking too much time to move snow.
Because it is a hybrid powered system, it has both the advantages of a plugged in machine and a battery powered one, meaning that it is relatively lightweight and very powerful.
It also has an ergonomically designed handle that provides maximum comfort, a cord lock system for maximum convenience and a lift handle that makes it easier to transport it from the deck to the patio.
Things We Like:
- Power curve technology that prevents clogging and cleans down to the surface.
- Zip deflector that changes the direction and locks in the angle to ensure snow is thrown where you want.
- Quick chute lever that adjusts the lever.
- Ergonomic handle for maximum comfort.
Things We Don't Like:
- Low power and battery life
Snow Joe SJ627E 22-Inch Electric Snow Blower
Last update on 2022-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Although we are a little more partial to Husqvarna, the Snow Joe is probably one of the most popular snow blowers out there. At a fairly reasonable price, you get an innovative outdoor power equipment maxed with plenty of power and a wide clearing width.
Many peoples' favorite things about it is the unlimited snow shredding power that's all thanks to the combined effort of the performance of an electric and the power of gas. It's a great option for clearing walkways and driveways.
Things We Like:
- Dual LED lights for increased visibility at night and a 180-degree chute that directs the snow stream up to about 25 feet away.
- Feather-light to ease maneuverability.
- Scraper bar at the base to clear the ground without causing damage to the deck.
- Electric and gas makes it a long lasting tool with little recharge time.
Things We Don't Like:
- Not the best for heavy, wet snow
- Does not throw snow very far
Ariens 921046 Deluxe 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
Last update on 2022-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Ariens 921046 Deluxe 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower.
While it’s the priciest tool on our list, people buy it because its reliable and has proven to work. It has all the basic features you’ll need in a snow blower such as a cast iron gear, dual handle interlock system, auto turn steering feature and a self-propelled drive system.
Things We Like:
- Electric ignition for quick starts.
- 205 chute rotation with remote deflector control to easily change the height and direction of the snow being thrown.
- Steel construction for durability.
- Dual-handle interlock system that maintains the safety of the operator and easy speed adjustments.
- Directional tires and self-propelled drive system that offer power and traction to cut through the snow.
Things We Don't Like:
- It's definitely your most expensive option
Features to Consider
Just as with any other purchase, there are going to be a number of factors that you’ll need to take into consideration when purchasing a snow blower. And naturally, some are more important than others meaning that you’ll have to weigh your options.
It's also important to weigh whether or not you need a snow blower or a snow shovel. We have a detailed list of the best snow shovels right here.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability isn't typically something that would make the top of the list when you're looking to buy a snow blower. And probably you're right. I mean, aren't they supposed to be maneuverable anyway? It's the weight of the snowblower that's important. The lighter the snow blower the less the effort you'll need to exert when pushing it along.
Warranty and Support
While snow blowers are extremely easy to maintain, just like any other machine, they also tend to break down from time to time. It is, therefore, very important to take into consideration the warranty coverage that the manufacturer is offering. This way, if anything does happen, you get it repaired or replaced easily.
Controls
The controls included in a snow blower are one of the most defining features. They allow for a seamless time and help provide professional results. Not all snow blowers are the same though and so some may have controls to help make things a tad easier while others may be devoid of any controls.
In addition to checking whether the equipment you’re going for has controls, it is always a good practice to ensure that the controls are intuitive and easy to maneuver.
Design
This is another major factor that you don’t want to overlook. Normally, the best snow blowers will typically have a wide discharge and clearing path distance to reduce the number of passes that you need to make to clear your surfaces.
Engine Size
The engine is kinda like the unsung hero in this case. In order for the snow blower to function effectively, it has to have an engine. However, the back starts and stops with the engine size as it determines the power and torque that the equipment will have.
Depth of Clearance
There’s no point if having a snow blower that can barely manage an inch of snow. Not only is it a total drag but it’ also quite frustrating too.
This can also be dependent upon the amount of snowfall in your area. For heavier snowfalls, you're obviously going to need a snow blower that packs more of a punch.
Power Steering
You’re going to be using the equipment in some pretty harsh weather conditions and so it only makes perfect sense to have the easiest of them all. And because snow blowers are quite different with some having the power steering and others lacking, it’s worth looking into it to make sure that it’s going to be suitable for you.
Best Snow Blower Brands
A brand is far much more than just a mark. It includes the mission, vision, and principles and these can help you make a better choice when you're in the market for a snow blower.
Husqvarna
Founded in the early 1600s, Husqvarna is a top producer of lawn and garden equipment such as snow blowers, lawn mowers, and chainsaws. They've earned their reputation over time for their impeccable world-class performance and stellar quality of their products.
Toro
Toro has been in the business of making the landscape, rental and construction equipment since the 1900s. They have a reputation for building reliable tools with features that are to die for.
Ariens
Ariens is an equipment company founded by Henry Ariens in 1933. It is based in Wisconsin and manufacturers both commercial and high-end snow blowers and lawn tractors.
Snow Joe
Snow Joe got its start in 2004 as a lawn and garden maintenance tools business. Since then, it has grown into a renowned power tool giant that develops affordable, innovative high-quality tools that you'll want to have at your disposal.
Conclusion
Even the best snow blowers on the market can be amiss if you're not using the features correctly.
Therefore, on top of factoring in the features, you also have to pay attention to the big things too. Like how easy is it to use the snow blower? Can you adjust it? Is the snow blower powerful enough to remove the snow? And a whole lot more where those came from.
Snow blowers are certainly not a cheap piece of machinery and should be treated with care and caution; You don't want to have to buy another one of these bad boys in your lifetime. Just consider the output you need from your snow blower, the price range you're considering, and then execute.
In the end, before you settle on a certain blower, do your research and factor in how the snow blower fits into your big picture.
Speaking of the big picture, when it all comes down to it, we believe that you can't go wrong with the Husqvarna ST224 Electric Snow Blower for heavy-duty, long lasting service and extreme snow throwing capabilities. Because of this it is our choice for the best snow blower on the market. If you agree with us, check it out here.
